Colombian black spider monkey

Sombra: Female, born February 21, 1984 at Sequoia Park Zoo. She arrived at the Zoo on April 14, 1999.

Arana: Female, born November 2, 1990 at Sedgwick County Zoo. She arrived at the Zoo on April 14, 1999.

Chanza: Female, born July 4, 1996 at Sedgwick County Zoo. She arrived at the Zoo on April 14, 1999.

Viewing Hints

Spider monkeys are arboreal. They will more than likely be towards the top of their enclosure, so if you don't see them, look up.

Where to find me in the Zoo

Rare Animal Conservation Center

Fun Facts

Their prehensile tails act as an extra limb as they traverse the canopy of the rainforest. The tail has a hairless patch on the underside that is used for gripping.

Colombian black spider monkeys can weigh up to 20 pounds.

These monkeys can be found in social groups of up to 30 individuals, which often break up into smaller groups of 3-4.

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The Colombian black spider monkey is all black except for a few white hairs on the chin, although infants have a pink face and pink ears.

Longevity

Colombian black spider monkeys can live into their thirties in zoos, but a typical lifespan is around 26 years in zoos and somewhat shorter in the wild (around 22 years).

Behavior

Colombian black spider monkeys are diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (live in trees). They have a fission-fusion social structure (similar to chimpanzees) in which large communities split off into smaller foraging groups.

Reproduction

Although spider monkeys in zoos do not show birth seasonality, wild Colombian black spider monkeys tend to give birth more often in periods of high fruit availability. Mating in this species is promiscuous and females actively choose their mates.

Size

Weight

Diet

In the wild spider monkeys consume mainly fruit, but they will consume insects as well as other vegetation such as leaves and flowers. At the Zoo, the spider monkeys are offered a base diet of primate biscuit and canned primate food. Several different brands of biscuit are used in the diet to promote variety and maintain animal interest. The enrichment portion of the diet includes a variety of fruit, vegetables and leafy greens. The keepers offer a different assortment of approved dietary items each day.

Geographic Range

Mainland of Colombia; high and lowland evergreen forests of Venezuela

Conservation Status

On the 2011 IUCN Red List for Threatened Species, the Colombian black spider monkey is listed as Critically Endangered.

To learn more about the conservation efforts at the Philadelphia Zoo, click here.